Nagas accused of constructing road on Assamese soil; JCB seized by forest officials

MARIANI: Tensions continue to escalate along Assam's border with Nagaland after a JCB was seized for allegedly constructing a road in the protected Dissou forest area in Upper Assam's Jorhat district.

An Assam official said that the road was being constructed by Nagas on a protected area that reportedly belongs to Assam. "This road leading to the Naga Basti has been built on Assamese soil -- we have dug up the road and made it deep so as to prevent movement of vehicles. We came to know about the construction of this road through a secret source and reached the spot with forest officials. We have seized the JCB and the driver and handyman are being interrogated," he said.

Dadu Hazarika, the driver of the JCB vehicle, upon being interrogated, said that the road was being built upon instructions of a person from Nagaland. "I have been making this road that has been commissioned from a person from Nagaland. I do know know him personally."

The driver also stated that the vehicle belonged to a person called Prasad Saikia hailing from Madhopur in Jorhat district.

ALSO READ: France likely to invest in India’s Northeast, Ambassador meets DoNER Minister

It needs mention here that organisations including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and the All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU) have launched an economic blockade against Nagaland on Mariani-Nagajanka road in Jorhat.

The economic blockade has been launched in protest against encroachment by Nagaland administration inside the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest under Mariani Range of Jorhat Forest division since November 10.

Nagaland police, backed by their government refused to vacate the temporary hut set up in the forest area near Nagajanka and the Assam police too dug in their heels by erecting another camp nearby to stop further encroachment. A team of the Jorhat unit of All Assam Students Union (AASU) recently visited the site to boost the morale of the Assam Police, who were positioned in difficult terrains and are allegedly short of rations. Locals of Nagajanka, meanwhile, have threatened violence if things spiral out of control.

The AASU team had further threatened an economic blockade.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.